Strategic Crisis Governance and Reputation Dynamics in Volcanic Tourism Destinations

Abstract

This study investigates the structural interactions between institutional crisis management and consumer perceptions in volatile environments by developing the Strategic Governance–Reputation Dynamics Framework. Adopting a critical realist paradigm, this comparative qualitative desk study synthesizes dual secondary document streams (2024–2026) to evaluate two prominent volcanic destinations in Indonesia experiencing contrasting disruptions: Mount Merapi (acute, exogenous geological cycles) and Mount Bromo (creeping, endogenous anthropogenic-environmental stresses). The findings reveal that physical hazard exposure does not automatically result in destination reputation decline. Instead, its effects are mediated by the quality of strategic crisis governance, including institutional coordination, digitally enabled Pentahelix collaboration, and the behavioral preparedness of front-line tourism actors. Destination reputation recovery is strongly path-dependent, with destination credibility serving as the principal mechanism for stabilizing destination image and restoring future visit intentions. The analysis further identifies two critical resiliency buffers—risk-tolerant thanatourism psychographics and traditional ecological wisdom—that moderate the adverse impacts of crises and support long-term destination resilience. These findings advance a non-linear explanation of crisis recovery by demonstrating that effective governance can decouple hazard exposure from reputational damage. This research provides a novel theoretical model and actionable strategic blueprints for regional tourism authorities to strengthen reputational capital and accelerate sustainable post-crisis recovery in the international tourism market.